Gelora Party to declare Prabowo Subianto as Presidential Candidate for 2024 Election

INDONESIA: The General Chairman of Partai Gelora, Anis Matta, announced that the party will soon declare Prabowo Subianto, the Chairman of Partai Gerindra, as their presidential candidate for the 2024 Presidential Election.

Anis Matta revealed that the party had already submitted a formal letter supporting Prabowo’s candidacy for the presidency and had engaged in discussions with him.

“We have already submitted a letter, Prabowo as a presidential candidate. Secondly, we have had discussions with Mr. Prabowo,” said Anis to journalists at ICE BSD, Tangerang, on Sunday (30 Jul).

Prabowo Subianto & Anis Matta

However, Anis did not disclose the exact date when the official declaration would be made, stating that Partai Gelora might also convene a national congress (munas) before the announcement.

The decision to back Prabowo was explained by Anis Matta, citing ideological proximity between the two parties. “There is a close ideological affinity between us and Gerindra,” he added.

Notably, Anis Matta expressed that he had held extensive discussions with Prabowo, and these talks received backing from the members of Partai Gelora.

The support was evident as the majority of the Regional Executive Boards (DPW) of Partai Gelora had already submitted letters expressing their endorsement to the National Executive Board (DPN) for Prabowo’s presidential bid.

Gelora Party, founded on 28 October 2019, by 99 individuals from 34 provinces, is a political party in Indonesia. It is led by Anis Matta, a former President of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS; Keadilan Sejahtera), and has a significant number of former PKS members among its ranks.

The party officially received official recognition from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in 2020.

Anis Matta, the Chairman of the Gelora Party

According to the Secretary-General of Gelora Party, Mahfuz Sidik, the party’s central and regional leadership is composed of 34 Regional Executive Boards (DPW), 484 Regional Representative Councils (DPD), and 4,394 Branch Executive Boards (DPC).

Mahfuz Sidik acknowledged the historical connection between Partai Gelora and PKS, as a considerable number of Gelora’s members and officials were formerly associated with PKS.

However, he emphasized that there were differences between the two parties, particularly regarding their visions.

“The difference is simple. Gelora Indonesia is more Indonesian than PKS. That’s it,” said Mahfuz during a survey released by Indo Barometer at Century Park Hotel, Jakarta, on February 23, 2020.

Despite the shared history, Partai Gelora advocates the Pancasila ideology rather than Islamic principles.

The party’s overarching goal is to present a fresh narrative for Indonesia’s future and to nurture leaders who will elevate the nation into the top five global powers. Presently, Gelora Party does not hold any seats in the parliament.